Lead Barista, Ralph's Coffee, Chicago

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands.

At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

The Lead Barista, Ralph’s Coffee, will ensure a consistently memorable hospitality experience for the department, while ensuring the implementation and accuracy of day to day operational processes, procedures and standards for the Hospitality business. The Lead Barista is responsible for supporting the Assistant Hospitality Manager and Hospitality Manager within Ralph’s Coffee shop in keeping with customer experience, brand, and operational standards. The Lead Barista, in partnership with the Assistant Hospitality Manager will also ensure the Ralph’s Coffee team is fully trained on technical skills, safe work practices, product knowledge, store service standards, and brand philosophy. The Lead Barista is to promote a friendly and welcoming environment for customers and team members, modeling our Company Ethos and brand values at all times. 

Operations:

• Maintains a clean, organized and stocked environment that adheres to company, health and safety standards.

• Informs Assistant Hospitality Manager and Hospitality Manager of supply needs for all branded retail product, food, coffee, dry goods, supplies, and other product and materials as needed. Assists in the distribution of product shipments as needed.

• Supports any inventory management as directed. Will accurately manage inventory to ensure we are always stocked with necessary items.

• Supports Assistant Hospitality Manager and Hospitality Manager in effective and positive communication amongst all team members.

• Promotes and practices safe work habits, reporting to the Assistant Hospitality Manager and Hospitality Manager of potential safety hazards and operational inconsistencies.

Service:

• Provide outstanding service and maintaining a welcoming environment that generates customer traffic and builds loyalty by exceeding customers’ expectations.

• Pro-active in solving customer problems and satisfying customers in all situations.

• Demonstrates customer service and hospitality standards by greeting and responding to all customers with fast, efficient, friendly, personalized, and professional service. Strives to develop a rapport with customers by learning their names, favorite drinks and food items.

• Responds proactively to prevent customer service situations.

Product:

• Follows all Company drink recipes and procedures, maintaining the highest quality and consistent product standards.

• Lead by example by ensuring the team is educated on our products and services, by developing an understanding of our various types of coffee, tea products, blends and roasts, as well as knowledge of coffee and tea regions, and the various differences in flavor and blends.

• Tastes products on a per shift basis to ensure the highest quality of product

Training & Development:

• Demonstrates the ability to lead and communicate the Ralph’s Coffee and Ralph Lauren ways.

• Support the Assistant Hospitality Manager and Hospitality Manager with technical training and standards of Ralph’s Coffee and ensuring all team members are able to effectively deliver on these expectations.

• Several years of Retail or Hospitality experience, preferably in an elevated service environment.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Must be able to work mornings, weekends, evenings and special events as needed.

• Well-organized and detail-oriented and able to multi-task.

• This position will require frequent standing and use of hands and arms.

• Must be able to lift up to 30lbs and frequently bend and twist from the waist.

• Regularly required to handle food, hot beverages, and work with sharp objects.